Table 4

Analysis of defecation habit diary before, during and after LAB treatment

Variables

Total

Before^d

During^e

After^f

p value^b

Frequency of defecation

Frequency

3.71 ± 2.23^a

3.33 ± 2.50

4.07 ± 2.37

3.73 ± 1.87

NS^c

Amount of stool

Large

0.07 ± 0.25

0.07 ± 0.26

0.07 ± 0.26

0.07 ± 0.26

NS

Medium

2.76 ± 2.29

2.53 ± 2.72

2.53 ± 2.42

3.20 ± 1.70

NS

Small

0.89 ± 1.79

0.73 ± 1.79

1.47 ± 2.23

0.47 ± 1.13

NS

State of stool

Hard

0.78 ± 1.26

0.47 ± 1.06

1.33 ± 1.72

0.53 ± 0.64

NS

Normal

2.40 ± 2.29

2.40 ± 2.53

1.80 ± 2.24

3.00 ± 2.07

NS

Watery

0.53 ± 1.44

0.47 ± 0.83

0.93 ± 2.28

0.20 ± 0.56

NS

^aEach value provided is the mean ± standard deviation.

^bSignificance from each other at p < 0.05 as determined by Duncan's multiple-range test.

^cNS: not significant.

^dBefore the experiment started.

^eDuring the experiment period.

^fAt the end of experiment.

An et al. Nutrition Journal 2010 9:5   doi:10.1186/1475-2891-9-5